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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



SAINT LOUIS, 



The Future Great, 



-BY 



Rev. GEO. A. WATSON. 



SECOND ENLARGED AND IMPROVED EDITION. 



Tlie most intrusive sway of dumb creation, happ'ly now for ever passed, 
Succeeded by fair Freedom's works, among Earth's most enchanting 

beauties classed, 
To high perfection nicely wrought, adorning gems in Future Great amassed. 



JAN 3 1 






No 

1882. 

M. Kkymkr, Print., 1002 Franklin Ave 

St. Lofis, Mo. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by 

REV. GEORGE A. WATSON, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 



To S. H. Laflin, who delighted views 

Th' improving City's vast increase, 
This Work respectful most, 
I DEDICATE, 

And now from pleasing labor cease, 
To view his civic soul, that from incessant, 

Useful toil, knows no release, 
The sweetest Eulogistic verse, 

So well it suits the City grand, 
That from the early, to the latest Sun, 

Her wish, obedience may command. 



THK AI'THOR. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The Poem is written throughout in pure Iambic measure, of nine 
feet in length. The irk | some Pan | oram | a nev | er changed | its 
u | niform | iden | tic view. 

For the proper rendition of poetical composition, it is well to remem- 
ber, that verses of considerable length, may have one or more Caesural/ 
or demi-Caesural"' pauses, and in addition, a sentential or a final pause* 
"Where once" deceitful, fleetest Indian," and the guile" protected snake* 
were found." 

In the XX triplet, the final pause rests on the word mind. The 
Author deems it unnecessary to direct the intelligent Reader's attention 
to the fact, that occasionally a secondary accent is used. 

Perhaps you may find the verses rather long, but leisure, and a good 
voice (and who is it that has a bad voice.) will enable you to do justice 
to yourself, to the verses, and a pleasure to your hearers. 



*See Bullions' English Grammar, Seventeenth Edition, page 234. 



PREFACE. 



The following Poem contrasts the present with the past condition of 
Saint Louis, and foreshadows the coming splendor, and the widespread 
fame and commanding influence of the Future Great. 

Within the City's present limits, the Indian, the deer, and the snake 
were objects familiar to the Author in his youthful days. He barely 
alludes to the beautifully sublime spectacle of a prairie on fire, which 
becomes sublimely fearful, when the labors of a lifetime may be swept 
away at one fell swoop Of course, he has never seen a master fire 
Exterminator, which could hurl a tidal wave over the highest dome ; but 
gentle and ingenuous reader, remember that you are perusing a Poem 
about St. Louis, the Future Great ; and further remark, that though St. 
Louis is not just now encompassed by old Ocean's waves, still, you will 
admit, that this event may take place in future ages. 

The literary attainments of the Veiled Prophet's Abode, are the 
means of introducing the Future Great to the favorable notice of the 
cultivated Chinese. But following closely in the wake of all great cities, 
crime and corruption have at last worked their way into its inmost 
life-giving sources. This fact was fraught with danger to the Future 
Great; Saint Patrick, the Father of a persecuted, fearless, dauntless 
People, moved by the charity bestowed on his dearly cherished children, 
still abiding amid the shadows of death,* successfully pleads its cause 
before God's eternal throne. 

Saint Louis, the chivalrous ruler of a warlike Uace, alive to the honor 
of his name, averts its impending destruction, and preserves it, in the 
very nick of time, from the terror* and the horrors of a raging 
conflagration. GEO. A. WATSON. 



*The Uront Famine of 1847-48. 



Saint Louis, the Future Great. 



i 

Where once, deceitful, fleetest, Indian, and the guile protected snake were found, 
Where once, th'all speed surpassing deer, sprang graceful from the echo of his 

bound. 
There shall the Future Great resplendent rule, and glory's brightest praise resound. 

II 
The irksome Panorama never changed its uniform, identic view. 
The seasons duly came and passed, the shining grass, it never changed its hue, 
The same events, recurring actions, their unvaried, peaceful course renew. 

Ill 

Soon o'er this monotonic, weary scene a magic working change will rise, 
The rapid progress of improvement in its forceful, most imposing guise, 
Of wildest fancy's most alluring dream, shall all the wonders full comprise. 

IV 

Attentive view the Mazing furnace to its unexcelled perfection made. 

Where utilizing flames through undimished months, have steady stayed, 

There once resistless, sweeping prairie tires, their yearly carnage burnt displayed. 

V 
Where onee the slow advancing pack-horse, and the weighty wagon weary went, 
Where anxious months both came and passed, before the advent of the missing 

tent,* 
There shall the Railroad's speed, complaints of most exacting soul prevent. 

VI 

Where once discordant war-whoop's shrillest notes, quick sounded on th' affrighted 

ear, 
Where once mistrustful, rested the primeval Chieftain's death portending spear, 
Cathedrals grand, gay Mansions unsurpassed, in dazzling splendor now appear. 



In .-illusion to (he distant journeys of the early Traders. 



— 6— 

VII 

Where once, the dusky Chieftain's most aggressive, death avenging, frantic dance, 
Unnumbered victims sought, to quench the bloody thirst of his descending lance, 
There Terpsichore's pacific crew, in merry concert thrilling, shall advance. 

VIII 

Ascending now with giant strides, perfection's heights, triumphant has she reached, 

Dull speculation's massive, crumbling walls, successful has she breached, 

The brightest honor of her Merchant Kings, no truthful man has yet impeached. 

IX 

The Future Great ne'er wrought on adventitious, sham delusive, credit's base, 

She never agitated was, by advent (-f the fitful days of grace, 

Her honored promise given, unfulfilled, no injured man shall e'er replace. 

X 

Judicious credit, founded on the thrifty farmer's well inspected gains, 
Whose gold producing flocks, in shelter found, defiance bid to wint'ry rains, 
The wary lender's long abiding, most suspicious trust, secure retains. 

XI 
Enraptured viewed the merchant, all the yellow waving beauties of the field. 
To move th' accumulating treasures, that productive soils so freely yield. 
He pensive pondered long, and thus his gain achieving mind, success revealed.* 

XII 
When tiny streams enlarge the swollen brooks, then these increase the rivers' speed. 
And they, in their propitious course, supply, what all confess, an urgent need, 
To commerce healthy, an essential and enlivening force, by all agreed. 

XIII 

Admire Mistourit River's unimpeded, rapid, headlong, changeful course, 
Now see, resistless how he flows triumphant, from his lakelet source, 
And most majestic sweeps before Mound City, to her ev'ry claim enforce. 



*How to transport produce with benefit to the producer and the consumer, is the problem 
now under consideration. 

fMissouri, not Mississippi, if the resultant character of the TCiver, after the union of the two 
Streams, is taken into account. 



XIV 

Upon his vast expanded bosom, most exultant, proudest Navies ride, 
Of special favored, happy this, and foreign, distant Nations, justest pride, 
In whose progressive, welcome wake, the trophies of enduring peace abide. 

xv 

The Future Great defiant sweeps the ocean wave, her power has never ceased, 
Th' admiring, endless plaudits, of devoted millions, sweetest, daily feast, 
Stretched far beyond the keenest ken, for Her, Gulf's ocean's depths, are much 
increase.!. (il ) 

XVI 

From famed Missouri's classic shore, a most stupendous wonder closely view, 
The greatest master piece of Captain Fads, and his mechanic, able few, 
Th' artistic Bridge, the Phenix of this iron age, shall all our joys renew. 

xvn 

With unabated, lightning speed, the model stanchest Steamers of the world. 
At lashing, briny, mountain foam incrested wave, defiance graceful hurled, (b) 
And freedom's merry fashioned banners, toth' expansive, wafting winds, unfurled. 

XVIII 

Fast speed they forward, with the perfumed floated breezes of the Future Great. 
Swift bearing full perfection's countless, varied works, from ev'ry foreign state, 
And all the flowing treasures of unbounded wealth, scarce can they just relate. 

XIX 

From far Wisconsin's frozen, dreary shore, to her the harvest treasures flow, 
From most romantic Colorador.* where the brightest golden metals glow, 
From all surrounding, noted Nations, who cannot her master skill forego. 



a) In allusion to Capt. Eads' far famed Jetties at the mouth of the Mississippi Hiver. Hav- 
ing viewed the grand River and itsNavies, we pass to the still unrivaled work ot modern times 
( ant . Fads' Bridge, which may vet he young, when old Father Time shall have parsed awaj . The 
Ocean Steamers ascending to the Sea-Port Harbor of the Future Great, may next engage our at- 
tention 

(b) A beautiful sight, familiar to those who have seen a first class Steamer gracefully round- 
ing to, and stemming a sweeping current at full flow 

♦Colorado. 



XX 

But what is paltry, enervating, treasure's gain, beside the spirit mind 
Elastic, which transcending matter's frail abode, may rarest wisdom find. 
And joyou3 revel in th' acutest thoughts, by well instructed souls combined. 

XXI 

Amid such treasures in the Future Great, inquiring, thoughtful mind, may spend, 
A precious hour's improving time, and truth destructive notions ever mend. 
By gifted books, embellished with the wisest thoughts, that we so well defend. 

XXII 

From China's flow'ry Kingdom, this important, most judicious order, came; 
"Send us four hundred thousand boxes of the bright, illuminative name. 
And then, the Future Great, the Phenix of the present age. shall just proclaim. 

XXIII 

Our ancient annals speak about Chicago, energetic traders' ban?. 

Were branded on their unprotected backs,* the choicest grades of diff rent grait.( a ) 

Impulsive were her people, unabashed, not too esthetic, nor profane. 

XXIV 

Saint Louis is to us a light diffusing, beauty's brilliant, shiny Star. 
With Pekin famous, our encircled, strongly guarded Cities, on a par. 
Chicago's murky light extinct, a warning to the Nations from afar. 

XX V 

Republic^) lasting, sprightly Post Dispatch, impressive Democratic Globe, W 
With Dixie's driven snow white cotton, and Saint Louis silken robe,( d ) 
Send us. Forget not Santa Fe's unequaled, most enduring, cheap adobe." 



"*The tanned hide of a Chicago Giant, 7 feet 7 inches tall, average circumference :> it. ;> inches 
is carefully preserved in the Koyal Museum; we have always regarded il as a most valuable his- 
torical Document, on it are branded four diff erent Periods of Grain Grades; seldom, however, did 
the traders fancy more than one impression of the brands, as the operation was extremely pain- 
ful. '1 he grain grades were not Often changed." 

(a) The choicest grades, etc. From this it would appear, thai the grades and the grain did 
not always exactly correspond. 

(b) Republican. 

(c) Globe-Democrat. 

(d) This would seem to indicate a marked change in the commerce of (lie world. 



— 9— 

XXVI 

And how forgotten was the Watchman's* truth diffusing, most instructive page, 

Which oft severely lashes all the vices of a fickle, venal age, 

And error's death inflicting ivounds, with truth's persuasive voice, shall yet assuage. 

XVII 

Spectator calm perused th' exciting themes, and thought he had the justest right, 
To brightest honor's most exalted place, amid the worthies of the fight, 
His pen dramatic, social more, to us perfection's cultured, pure delight. 

XXVIII 

That on a certain stormy day in March, precise the seventeenth, they state, 

A man, in custume strange* appeared, and boldly struck the famous Golden Gate. 

Our truth imparting Annals, further in remotest ages, brief relate. 

XXIX 

The Golden, Diamond ornamented Gate, it yielded to the Stranger's stroke, 
And thus in grace's terms entreating, toth' assembled, awe-struck Fathers, spoke, 
The bitter sentence of your condemnation passed, most freely I revoke. 

xxx 

In Erin's famine^) stricken, dreadest time, the boundless treasures of your love, 
You godlike sent. Then fleet ascended to the heavenly Throne, the spotless dove, 
Descended with her olive branch, forgiveness from the Father's Throne above. 

XXXI 

"Destruction's havoc wings swept high and low. announced your fate as nearly sealed 
Th' Almighty and avenging Hand was raised, the fearful blows had nearby pealed, 
In famine'sf mutest garb we solemn came, the Judge's wrath was all concealed. 

XXXII 

From sordid pleasure's grovelling, soul destructive, most unchristian, sinful ways, 
Ascend to Him, who passed and present, future ages, most supremely sways, 
The wicked to destruction endless dooms, the good, in lasting bliss, repays." 



•Western Watchman. 

(a) Saint Patrick, arrayed in his Archiepiscopal Holies. 

tThe great famine of 1847^-8. The frightful sufferings of the Irish in those dreadful years 
were too appallingto bear repetition. Extreme destitution, indeed.has but lew words to waste. ' 



—10— 



XXXIII 

The Future Great in pure Religion's unadulterated, pleasing rites, 
In lofty virtue's highest, most heroic, peaceful, elevating nights, 
Safe places her exalted, most seraphic, everlasting, dear delights. 

XXXIV 
The Future Great, her nascent, vast enduring fame, enraptured foreign lands, 
Acknowledge freely; and most lawless, unabiding, fiercest, savage bands, 
Are justly terror stricken, and obedience yield, to her discreet commands. 

XXXV 
Hers are th' enchanting, sweet attractive, most angelic, gracious ways of peace, 
Th' imposter's crafty wiles exposed, there's none th' enlightened, happy poor to 

fleece, 
The bloody tryant's supplicating slaves, undaunted, fearless, dares release. 

XXXVI 

Degrading slav'ry's fetters cast aside, they rise to freeman's happy state, 
So far removed from vilest serfdom's soul consuming, deathless, bitter hate. 
That thus exultant, may they freedom's favors, to delighted sons relate. 

xxxv I I 

From fierce oppression's unrelenting, diabolic, soul engendered fire. 

To raise tormented, agonizing man, to dearest honor of a Sire 

What grander, more ennobling prize, could wild ambition's quenchless soul desire? 

XXXV III 

'Twere nobler far. to raise him high above himself, vile earth's ignoble bliss, 
To love's ecstatic, peace enjoying, heavenly kingdom, surely more than this, 
Where purest love's unbroken feast secure, intruding fear may all dismiss. 

xxxix 

To deep oblivion long have passed, the simple garments of the former race, 
Now scarce admission would they gain, to knavish beggar's cosy, hiding place 
No more the pauper's garb in Future Great;* his image scarce can we retrace. 



*Not literally One, just at the present time. 



—11— 

XL 

Devices num'fous have so fashioned works of nature, and excelling art, 
That Future Great became the mistress of all nations, and their onhv mart, 
Alone, the King of Day, control refused, his rays destruction would impart. ( a > 

XT. I 
It was a hazy, heated, listless, dull November, sleep inducing day, 
A lurid glare, high over Princely Dome and Marble Street, portentous lay, 
A mournful, thrice repeated signal, showed the seething flames in dread array. 

XLI I 
Like rapid thunder roar, the master fire exterminator of the age, 
Aloft a tidal foam capped wave, (bj hurled over highest dome. The flames, they rage 
Around the fated council hall, misfortune to famed Future Great presage. 

XLI I I 

Th' aggressive flames in curling waves increase, now beauty's Golden Gate they 

reach, 
Swept tlames intense, from North to South, from Fast to West, in wildest fury each, 
Terrific falls, the far famed Golden Gate, the God of Heaven we now beseech. 

XLIV 

The Future Great, what Hero's arm can save, the piercing, universal cry, 
From far horizon's farthest, utmost verge, a wondrous, flashing flame, swept by, 
From it emerged, a visored man, with whose behest the raging flames comply. 

XLV 
Fxhaustecl now, relentless fury spent, the dazzling Hero's halo crown 
Divine, they cannot bear ; much less Crusader's fierce restraining,deadly frown, 
A mighty, cheering host, loud greeted Saintly Louis, of crusade renown. 



stance Th ° C ' ty W&S probabl 3* set on fire by the Sun's converging rays, on some inflammable sub- 
file f,..,, ( .! J) i q he Iasb *PS "' (lu ' waves, and the havoc of a raging tempest, added to the horrors of 
refer* '!„ , '"■?; H 5 0ul se any intelligent reader will easily perceive, that the above description 
leteis to a possible tuture condition of the Future Great. 



SAINT LOUIS, 



The Future Great, 



-BY- 



Rev. GEO. A. WATSON. 



SECOND ENLARGED AND IMPROVED EDITION. 



The most intrusive sway of dumb creation, happ'Jy now for ever passed, 
Succeeded by fair Freedom's works, among Earth's most enchanting 

beauties classed, 
To high perfection nicely -wrought, adorning gems in Future Great amassed. 



1882. 

M. Keymer, Print., 1002 Franklin Ave. 

St. Louis, Mo. 



MmB£E2U9£ C0 NGRESS 
018 603 000 A 




